Module embedded careers and employment provision for final year earth science students: a Plymouth

University example

Dr Martin StokesSchool of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences

Plymouth University Earth Science degrees

• BSc Applied Geology• BSc Geology• BSc Geology with Ocean Sciences• BSc Marine Geosciences• BSc Physical Geography & Geology• MGeol

• ~70-100 students in final year...but increasing .....

EOE3001: Embedded Careers & Employability

EOE300140 credits

Research Project30 credits (75%)

Geological Map

Field Project

Desk Project

Lab Project

Professional Skills10 credits (25%)

Project Management

Workplace skills

Careers

• Primary Data• Project Report

• Portfolio

Assessment

EOE3001: Delivery

• Weekly 2 hour seminar sessions in Term 1, reduced in T2• Staff: Martin Stokes & Glenn Crust (Careers advisor), Jim Griffiths

(HoS), past students

Term 1

October November December January February March

Term 2

Project Management

Work Place Skills

Careers

• Gantt Charts:MS Project Manager

• Teamwork•Communication• Negotiation•Health & safety

• CVs• Cover letters

• Application forms• Online Applications

• Social media• Interviews

• Career resources

• Careers Fair

• Careers Preparation

• Past student talks

Focus is on Earth Science

careers

EOE3001 Professional Skills Assessment

• Project Logbook– Regular entries– Task auditing / actions– Data manipulation– Literature notes– Model / idea development

• Professional Skills ‘Journal’– 500+ word reflective

commentary on session content• Demonstrate self

awareness

• Portfolio– Gantt chart – several

versions– CV – several versions– Evidence for session

follow-up– Reflective end module

review: 1500 words• Display personal

development

Cou

nter

sign

ing

by

proj

ect

advi

sor

CVs

Pre-University CV

University CV v. 1

University CV v. 2

University CV final

Little mention of university skills / experience

Lacks sufficient evidence and still too much non uni info

Term 1

October November December January February March

Term 2

Find a pre-Uni CVOr prepare a CV

Project advisor

feedback

CV seminar:STAR technique,

resources etc.

Careers fair employer feedback

Past Student Talks

• Recent graduates (2-3 yrs)

– PhD / MSc– Engineering geology– Hydrocarbon exploration– Mining– Non geology

• 30 Minute talks– What they do.– How they got their:.

• Application• Interview process• Work place skills• Projects• Workplace health and

safety

• Reinforces importance of the professional skills sessions

• Shows that Plymouth students can succeed

http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=39024

‘Geo’ Careers Fair

• Held in March each year• Annual event since 2007• Dedicated to Earth Sciences

careers• Pre-fair preparation seminar• Company stalls manned by

ex Plymouth graduates

http://www1.plymouth.ac.uk/careers/Pages/Events%20and%20opportunities/GeoCareers-2012.aspx

Some final points .....

Positives

• Engagement = success – at interview and career

professional development• Project management• Health and safety

awareness

• Personal testimony from past students

Negatives

• Some students perceive content to be:– Patronising– Common sense– Inappropriate for final year– Irrelevant to studying

geology

• Some (geology) academic staff perceptions / attitudes

Students only understand

employability after they have left Uni.

Room for provision improvement or just natural selection?

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